Thursday, December 5, 2013

It's a bird, it's a fish...IT'S A HOG!

Live Oak Landing
Freeport, FL
December 4, 2013

The weather has been a little bit of everything this past week.

 We had rain and downpours and windy,  cold days...





days we spent wishing we could go out and play. We were busy cleaning up 20 paws and feet when we did!

We had some sunny, windy and chilly days...








days we enjoyed the sun with Belle blocking the wind.

Finally, yesterdays high was a very nice 80* with the sun peeking out from some very thick, gray clouds. A nice day for a pontoon boat ride with Millie and Barry. We headed down the river towards the Chactawhatchee Bay.



The bay stretches some 30 miles from end to end and spanning 4 to 6 miles across.



 It is a beautiful ride going down the river into the bay.
 The bay is quite popular for boating and fishing. We have been told there is an abundance of redfish, trout, shrimp, mullet, and even dolphins in these waters.






As we tootled along, we passed a few fishermen.








But the cormorants had all the luck today. There was a huge flock enjoying lunch. We just sat and watched! What a thrill...

















There wasn't a lot of zooming in with my camera today. Of all days, the lens that I use most of the time decided to lock up...its a Nikon DX AF-S VR 55-300. We will be shipping it off for repairs.

 It was beautiful when the sun did pop out. The clouds were  thick and when they opened up we had nice patches of blue and oh... the glistening water!
 This is the bridge on Hwy 331. Construction is under way to build another bridge so it will be a 4 lane.
After just drifting along for awhile enjoying the quiet, the birds and our snacks, we headed back down the Mitchell River.





When, what to my wondering eyes should appear (It is December after all!), but an immature Great Blue Heron.

 What a magnificent bird! He just flew right in...with his tucked-in neck and trailing legs. What a sight...



as he gracefully landed and stretched up so tall on a dock post. Thank you Barry for turning off the engine and sitting for a few minutes!








Our skilled captain did an awesome job navigating us in and out and thru areas that were not so deep.





Joe

Captain Barry





Mitchell River

We know the Mitchell River is well known in this area for fishing, camping, and picnicking.





 But were we ever surprised to see this...is it a  bird?, or a fish? NO...







IT'S A WILD HOG! Quite a swimmer he is!



We obviously interrupted his adventure as he turned around and hightailed it back to shore...

curly tail and all.










It was a very nice day. Thank you Barry and Millie for the invite!
 We are enjoying our stay at LOL. Cant believe we have already been here a month. Also,can't believe it is December...where has the year gone? The older we get, the faster time flies!
 
Belle is getting dressed for Christmas.
 
Until next time...



















11 comments:

  1. Seeing that wild hog swimming would really have made my day. Now if we could just get some warm weather - that would make my day a whole lot better.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a cool adventure! I love seeing Great Blue Herons - you got some good photos of him. And the hog!!! I've never seen a wild hog, and you saw one swimming - that's one thing I'd never have predicted. How fun! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maybe the Hog was running away from a hunter, you can hunt them year round on private property, and during hunting season just about anywhere you can hunt....surprised you didn't see Marcia's Nephew, he hunts them a lot. (as for me, not a hunter, but I understand why it takes place....) --Dave (GoingRvWay.com)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes the days do fly by quicker everyday. Enjoy your warmer than us weather!

    ReplyDelete
  5. 20 paws? Is there a new addition to the family I am not aware of?

    ReplyDelete
  6. that hog sighting must have been exciting. thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Feral hogs are a real problem in the south. I've never seen one swimming though.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow great pictures! Love that picture with your dog (sorry i can't tell which it is) is patting Joe's head :) I have never seen a wild hog and he is quite a swimmer.
    Hope your cam gets fixed!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great way to spend the day, motoring lazily on the water just soaking up the scenery & what a cool sight to see, a wild hog, swimming no less. Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gay, as always I enjoyed your beautiful photos! Sorry to hear about your lens; I hope you get it fixed and back soon. You are right - the older we get the quicker time seems to pass. However, that might be a nice thing, especially because we are busy and having fun

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think we're all going to want you to send the warm weather our way. It's not so bad in Arizona during the day but the nights are kind of chilly.

    Time certainly does pass along much quicker than it did when we were working folks.

    ReplyDelete